failed

1. 1
   verb

   Simple past and past participle of fail.

   The negotiations failed despite weeks of careful preparation.

   Several engines had failed before the team found the design flaw.

   Note

   One spelling serves as both simple past and past participle. On its own it is the finite verb (the talks failed). After have it forms the perfect (had failed). After be it makes a passive, which only the transitive uses allow: a student can be failed by an examiner. Before an infinitive it means 'did not manage': she failed to call.

2. 2
   adjective

   Not having achieved the intended purpose or result; unsuccessful.

   The failed coup left the country in political turmoil.

   Critics dismissed the reform as another failed promise from city hall.

   Similarunsuccessful, abortive, botched, fruitless, unfulfilled

   Oppositesuccessful, triumphant

3. 3
   adjective

   Having become bankrupt; no longer able to meet financial obligations.

   Depositors at the failed savings institution waited months for their money.

   The court appointed a trustee to wind down the failed manufacturer.

   Similarbankrupt, insolvent, defunct

   Oppositesolvent, thriving, prosperous

   Note

   Money gives the word its bluntest meaning: a failed bank has not merely disappointed, it can no longer pay. It sits naturally beside bail out, as in a government unwilling to bail out the failed bank. Because the general "unsuccessful" meaning shares the form, a failed business can be ambiguous. Next to bank or lender, it points to insolvency. Like bankrupt, it does not take more or most.

4. 4
   adjective

   Worn out or decayed; deteriorated to the point of no longer functioning.

   Inspectors condemned the bridge for its failed, corroded supports.

   The restoration crew carefully replaced the failed plaster along the ceiling.

   Similardecayed, deteriorated, defective, broken, faulty

   Oppositesound, intact, functional

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